Published on: March 07, 2025
Activision and developer Iron Galaxy have officially revealed a wave of major changes coming to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 as part of the highly-anticipated Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 collection for Nintendo Switch.
While fans have eagerly awaited the return of these iconic skateboarding titles, the announcement that the original Career Mode will not appear in THPS4 marks a significant shift in the series' well-known gameplay formula.
Since its original debut, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 has been celebrated for its open-ended Career Mode, allowing players to freely explore expansive levels and tackle challenges at their own pace.
However, as confirmed by a report from Kotaku (via Push Square), the Nintendo Switch release will streamline THPS4's structure in line with the preceding entries.
Instead of completing objectives at leisure, players will face a 2-minute time limit for each challenge, mirroring the format from the earlier Tony Hawk's Pro Skater titles.
In an effort to address community concerns, Iron Galaxy has clarified that while the Career Mode is changing, a Free Roam option will still be available.
This mode enables players to skate freely around the levels and enjoy the environments without time constraints, but it will not include active challenges alongside exploration.
According to Iron Galaxy, this decision was made to deliver a more "cohesive package" and ensure a seamless progression from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 to 4 within the remastered collection.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is set to launch on Nintendo Switch on July 11, 2025.
Activision's continued partnership with Iron Galaxy follows their successful release of previous series remasters, with the publisher emphasizing its commitment to delivering high-quality revivals for both longtime fans and new players.
The shift in design for THPS4, however, has elicited disappointment among purists who regarded the original mode as a defining feature of the game.
"We've streamlined the experience to provide a unified structure across both titles, making it easier for newcomers while retaining the core skateboarding action fans know and love," Iron Galaxy stated in an official release.
The developer also assured that player feedback will be closely monitored after launch, leaving the door open for possible updates or DLC addressing community requests.
With its imminent arrival on the Nintendo eShop and physical retailers, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 represents another milestone in the celebrated franchise.
As the July release date approaches, the community remains hopeful that upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations or post-launch updates might yield further enhancements to the Switch edition.
Nintendo Switch Nintendo Activision Switch Tony Hawk Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Iron Galaxy Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4